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Randleman mayoral race yields biggest surprise

ASHEBORO — Election Day turnout Tuesday was predictably light for the municipal election cycle. The biggest contest of the night was the one for Randleman mayor. Incumbent mayor Tony Lowe is in a dead heat with challenger Bucky Jernigan.

When complete but unofficials totals came in, Lowe had 304 votes and Jernigan, 305.

Lowe was unavailable for comment Tuesday night. Jernigan said he understands Lowe can ask for a recount.

“He and I are great friends,” Jernigan said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Melissa Johnson, county elections director, said in these circumstances, Lowe can ask for a recount as long as he does so by 5 p.m. on the day after the official canvass on Nov. 12. She said the laws governing recounts are very complicated. She said she plans to consult with the state board of elections before commenting on what would happen next.

In the two Randleman Board of Aldermen elections, incumbent Melissa Blalock was re-elected with 373 votes. Write-in candidates, including Craig Hancock, received 146 votes.

* Franklinville Board of Commissioners — The winners for the three seats available were Richard D. Goodwin, incumbent, who received 41 votes; A.C. Hurley, incumbent, 40; and Sharon Grose, incumbent, 35. Mac Whatley received 17 votes and Paul Dunn, 21. There were five write-in votes.

* Liberty Mayor — Incumbent Terry Caviness was the only candidate and received 191 votes. There were 19 write-ins.

* Liberty Town Commission — The three available seats were taken by Filmore York with 204 votes; Tyson E. Nixon, incumbent, 147; and Robin M. Frady, 96. J. Quincy Siler received 81 votes and Christopher Compton, incumbent, 79. There were seven write-in votes.

* Liberty Town Commission, unexpired term — Mark M.J. Jones, the only candidate for this seat, received 170 votes. There were four write-ins.

* Ramseur Board of Commissioners — In this race, incumbent Gary Lee Hoover Jr. received the most votes at 96. The second highest number received were for incumbent, Robert Hesselmeyer, at 79. There were only two seats available but J.C. Parrish followed Hesselmeyer closely with 70 votes. There were six write-ins.

* Ramseur Town Commission, unexpired term — Ernie Mitchell got the most votes at 81 beating Morris Rudick who received 51 votes. There was one write-in.

* Seagrove Town commission — There were five seats available in this race. The top vote getters were Barbara Luther, incumbent, with 64 votes; Jason R. Auman, 63; Ruby Chriscoe Mullin, incumbent, 57; Jodi Sapper, 55; and Pam Allen, 49. Barbara D. Graves received 17 votes and David Robert Fernandez, 34. There were 14 write-ins.

* None of the incumbents in the races in Staley were opposed. Mayor Karen R. Scotton retains her seat with 20 votes.